Customer Reviews Altra Via Olympus

Let me start by saying the paradigm 6 is my go to running shoe and made me fall in love with running so I am familiar and comfortable with a lot of technology used in this shoe. This shoe leaves my Achilles aching after runs longer than a 5k, can numb my feet(have tried multiple lacing strategies), I feel the inner flex on runs trying to almost stab my feet, it somehow makes my socks bunch(even toe socks somehow), and has huge hot spots on both lateral sides of my feet even though my strike is more medial. I want to love this shoe because I love the look of it(I'm shallow), I've put 50 miles into it thinking something would change but each run I'm left with some sort of nag. I even thought since it wasn't for me for running I'd relegate it to my work shoe and stand in it all day- NOOOOPE! This murdered my Achilles even worse. I'm not sure if I'm experiencing all these problems because this is my first neutral altra shoe(I run in neutral shoe in other brands with no problems) but I wish I had used my money on a second pair of paradigms to keep on ice as mine are quickly approaching 300+ miles but going strong.

Widen the midfoot, increase the height of the instep. The sole is just right other than it needs to widen in the middle and not just the toe box; the whole shoe!

Stiff as a board, zero cushion, and the entire sole is hard as a rock from toe to heel. It's like running with cinderblocks on both feet. What am I missing?!?!

My women's torin 5 is the same width as the men's version of these! And these shoes are too narrow in the mens at that in the mid foot. Really disappointed I have to give up. :(

They were not close to what you said they would be.

The worse shoe I've received from Altra. With such a high stack height I'm surprised at how stif the foam is. There is no give or bounce. Very weird shoe. The heel counter digs into my Achilles. Just flare it out!!!

If you're looking for a cushy shoe, this isn't it. My Olympus trail running shoes felt more comfy than these on the road. I sent them back. Thanks for a great return policy,

Coming off a knee injury and running about 25 miles per week in "Escalantes", all of it on an asphalt running path near my home. I wanted to build mileage and thought it might be a good idea to use a more cushioned zero drop shoe for longer runs. Two short runs later and these shoes tore my feet up - bad blisters on the outside edges and balls of my feet. In retrospect, had these not been on sale, I wouldn't have tried them. I've been running for 40+ years and haven't had a blister since I first started. (Back when men and women came out of caves and started running with tree bark glued to their feet.) On a positive note, my "Escalantes" are the bomb. Please don't change them!!

Been running in a variety of Altra models, road and trail, since the original Torin in 2014. Liked all of them, whether minimal or more cushioned. I've been a faithful customer and fan. But this Ego Max (?!?) model was unrunnable. I don't like unstable pillow soft shoes (ex. old Nike Vomero) but the Via Olympus midsoles were like running on a pair of bricks. I had foot pain almost immediately, and had to change shoes as soon as I could get back to my room. The 50% off promotion should have been a warning to an old guy like me. Hope your second attempt is more successful.

Felt narrower than the regular fit. Toebox felt more cramped. Only took one 3 mile run to blister both my feet badly. Sent them back. Going back to the tried and true escalantes.

Looks great, love the wide toe box, but man are these things stiff and hard. Whoever decided it was okay to allow these to be marketed as "max cushion" doesn't understand what the buyer expects from that label. I used to love the "Olympus" but the last few iterations have been pretty disappointing. Time to find a new brand.

LOVE the trail Olympus. I've had 12 pair. But the toe box in the Via is so narrow my feet went numb after 3 miles. Very disappointed. Nothing like the trail version. NOT "Original" width. No way.

I felt so wobbly and unstable in these. I wore them once and don't even think I can return them because they have been used. Not only that, my toes kept jamming in them. I wear the escalante racer size 11.5 in men's and they are fine. I don't recommend these shoes for me, but others may have a different experience. Definitely not recommended for trail running on uneven surfaces.

I love the Olympus trail runner, it is my go to for trail runs and long hikes. I was so excited when via became available, unfortunately, they did not work for me. I run 25-30 miles/ week recreationally and really can't tell exactly what is wrong, but I had a lot of trouble getting comfortable with the rocker - I couldn't figure out proper strike. After a 4 and a 6 mile run, I pulled my hamstring (3 months later, still not better). I hope you reconsider the rocker on future models because I'd love a street version of this shoe that won't injure me!

What happened to the original wide toe box? I've overlooked other issues just to have that wide toe box.

I was so looking forward to this shoe. I love the Ego Max foam in the Mt. Blanc (the best Altra foam and shoe BTW). Even though this shoe is supposed to have the same foam it is way different. Like others have said, the foam is WAY TOO STIFF. It has absolutely no bounce/rebound. It feels like you're running on wood. I have about 100 miles on mine and they feel the same as they did out of the box. Total fail. Didn't you guys have anyone test these?

This shoe is terrible. I read the reviews that it's really stiff and you have to break it in within 50 miles, which is shocking. I couldn't even get past 3 miles without cramping. These are going back

Super disappointing! I have been a faithful Altra wearer for many years. This is the first pair I had to send back. While there is plenty of cushion, it doesn't bend/flex at all while running. My heel kept popping out of the back of the shoes with each step. I don't understand how Altra didn't notice the inability to physically bend the shoe at all. I was so bummed I had to return these. I'm not sure my next pair of running shoes will be Atras.

I bought these hoping for a plush ride. At first I thought that they just needed to break in (Odd though that my Torins never need a break in period). I've now concluded that there is no hope for these being a luxurious, plush ride and have settled on the fact that these are just going to be stiff, hard, and uncomfortable to run in. On the bright side, they do look nice.

Cushion? Where? These are the most uncomfortable shoes ever. They are stiff and hard.

I currently have 5 pairs of Altras in my rotation from vanish tempos to lone peaks and this one I was very excited about for a long run road shoe. The ride and plushness is just not there. Very stiff and hard on my arches. Missed my return window on them unfortunately bc I tried so hard to like them at due to the price but ultimately cant put them on and go out the door anymore so they are shelved. They were advertised as a soft plush ride. Im 175lbs and have yet to feel the cushion that this stack height is supposed to carry. Ego Max is not showing in these. Turnover feels ok, but 10-14 miles in these is painful.

Worst pair of Altra's, big, clunky, stiff and horrible ride. I was hopeful that Altra made an actual cushioned shoe but was disappointed and sent them back for a full refund.